Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a regional breakdown of the numbers awaiting a consultation with the Money Advice and Budgeting Service; the average waiting period for those wishing to meet with an adviser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38638/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems.

The Citizens Information Board (CIB), who has responsibility for MABS, compiles information on the waiting times and numbers in each MABS region on a quarterly basis and posts it to the www.mabs.ie website. A table of the most recently published information, as at 30 September 2010, is set out below for your information.

Based on the latest information available, the average waiting time from first point of contact to first appointment with a money adviser is 4.9 weeks. This is the average nationally and there are fluctuations between offices.

During the waiting period, clients are assessed and those in need of immediate assistance are given a priority appointment, others are provided with assisted self-help to ensure that they have taken steps to assess their situation and if appropriate they are supported to take holding action with their creditors.

I am satisfied that MABS provides a high quality personal service to assist people in overcoming their indebtedness and managing their finances.